Atopy

Atopic dermatitis is usually genetic. It is the most common skin disorder in young people. Its intensity decreases with age.

Doctor's opinion

Questions / Answers

Is eczema caused by food ?

Most of the time, no. However, sometimes children have intolerances to certain foods which makes their eczema worse.
Practically speaking, your doctor will look for food allergies in specific cases. Following testing, a special diet might be recommended.

Will breastfeeding protect my baby against eczema?

In order to reduce the risk of atopic dermatitis in families at risk, it is recommended that mothers breastfeed as long as possible. In the same way, it is recommended to delay the introduction of varied foods (mainly eggs and fish) until after the age of six months.

Can I bathe my baby if he suffers from eczema?

Of course. Bathing offers many benefits: Cleanses, relaxes and prepares the skin for emollients. Be careful though: The bath should not be too hot, around 30-32°C (86-89°F) since hot water (around 98.6°F) might cause itching. Cleansers or bath oils should be very mild.

What about hydrotherapy treatments?

They are often recommended for atopic children. They include treatments (baths, showers, drinking water) using thermal spring water, possibly limited sun exposure and regular medical follow-up. This is a way for children and parents to get more familiar with atopic dermatitis and its treatments.

Is it possible to have pets?

Animal hair (ponies, dogs, cats) or bird feathers can cause respiratory allergies. If the child has a pet that he loves and there is no problem, it is fine to keep it. On the other hand, in case of sneezing or conjunctivitis, it might be a good idea to remove the animal; if you don’t have an animal yet, the allergy risk should be considered before adopting one.

Atopy

What is Atopic Dermatitis ?

Atopic Dermatitis….. not well understood…..
Atopic Dermatitis affects 10-15% of newborns, making it the #1 chronic infant disorder.
Bothersome for both babies and their families, it often starts very early but doesn’t affect normal development. Most of the time, it usually goes away during childhood.
The biggest risk factor for developing infant AD is a family history of hay fever, eczema, respiratory or food allergies…

Main types of Atopic Dermatitis

It is a combination of red oozing and itchy skin patches and atopic xerosis with dry skin which will need to be moisturized and “lipid nourished”.
Affected areas (cheeks, forehead, trunk, followed by elbow folds and knees) vary from one child to another.

Results:
In all cases, the resulting itching is a source of suffering for the child which in turn affects the entire family. Insomnia is most often shared by the parents…
Possible complications include frequent overinfections from scratched lesions which often carry Staphylococcus, Streptococcus or other Herpes virus.

Treatment:

Fortunately, the physician is able to face these situations:

- Emollient products for atopic xerosis to cleanse, moisturize, dry the skin and prevent infections, overinfections and mainly to soothe.
- Emollient and relaxing massages. Specifically massages using a moisturizing (or emollient) cream which is a special moment of the day for a child. A time filled with softness, soothing, of contact and sharing with his mother or father.
- Topical corticosteroid (while carefully respecting the protocol indicated by the physician for applications, counting the number of tubes used, etc.) prescribed for eczema flare-ups.